EU summit: David Cameron says no to EU budget plans

As EU budget talks collapse in Brussels, David Cameron says the 27 member
states can no longer keep "tinkering around the edges".

5:51PM GMT 23 Nov 2012

Talks on a new European Union budgethave collapsed as David Cameron accused Brussels of "living in a parallel universe" and said there could not be a "deal at any cost."

Mr Cameron won German support in a row with France about his demands for more cuts in spending and a refusal to increase the budget.

He said: "From a budget of nearly a trillion euros it is simply not acceptable to carry on tinkering around the edges, shuffling chunks of money from one part of the budget to another, we need to cut unaffordable spending, that is what's happening at home that is what needs to happen here."

"We came to the table seeking the best deal for Britain and for Europe, our position is very simple, we cannot increase spending in the EU when we are cutting it at home, so we argued for a cut – at the very least a freeze – in spending," he added.

The Prime Minister blamed the European Commission for the breakdown, accusing the it of “insulting” taxpayers by refusing to accept cuts to its budget or make reductions in staff pay or perks.